For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact the Charlotte Museum of History at 704-568-1774.
MUSEUM TO HOST VIRTUAL PRESERVATION AWARDS
May 13, 2020
Awards recognize projects that preserve and protect Charlotte’s architectural legacy
The Charlotte Museum of History will host the 2020 Charlotte Preservation Awards via a digital event on Aug. 20. The awards recognize outstanding preservation projects in the Charlotte region and are designed to encourage more preservation of the area’s historic buildings and streetscapes.
HISTORY GROUPS OFFER DIGITAL CELEBRATIONS TO MARK 245TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MECKDEC
May 8, 2020
Local history groups will offer virtual activities starting on May 18 to honor Charlotte’s most legendary moment, the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, or MeckDec, on May 20, 1775. Some historians say the MeckDec was America’s original declaration of independence.
HISTORY MUSEUM LAUNCHES SPECIAL GIVING CAMPAIGN
April 29, 2020
Campaign made possible with $75,000 challenge grant from local Weatherspoon Family Foundation
The Charlotte Museum of History today announced a matching gifts campaign designed to raise $150,000. The funds would cover a loss of earned income created by the museum’s temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
THE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY LAUNCHES “MUSEUM AT HOME”
April 9, 2020
Digital learning opportunities focus on helping Charlotte stay educated, entertained and hopeful
In response to COVID-19 closures and stay-at-home orders, The Charlotte Museum of History has launched a series of free digital learning opportunities to support the community, especially children and families. This comes after the museum announced on March 16 that it would temporarily close its doors in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
THE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY CANCELS MAJOR SPRING FUNDRAISER
March 23, 2020
The Charlotte Museum of History announced today that it will cancel its major fundraiser, the Colonial Gem Garden Party, scheduled for April 23. This comes after the museum announced on March 16 that it would temporarily close in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19. All other museum programs, events and activities also are suspended until further notice.
THE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
March 16, 2020
The Charlotte Museum of History is temporarily closed starting today, March 16, in order to support the health of our visitors, volunteers and staff as our community works to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The museum will be closed until at least March 31, and all museum programs, events and activities are suspended. We will continue to actively monitor this situation as circumstances evolve, and we will follow guidance from local, state and federal authorities about the best ways to promote public health.
THE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY RESPONDS TO COVID-19 OUTBREAK
March 13, 2020
In order to support our community and to protect the well-being of our visitors, volunteers and staff, The Charlotte Museum of History is postponing or changing some of our spring programs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF BEER IN THE CAROLINAS AND ENJOY MUSEUM AFTER HOURS
March 10, 2020
The Charlotte Museum of History will host its second “Taste of History” event on April 9. This adults-only program will dive into the history and culture of beer in North Carolina and will give visitors after-hours admission to the museum and its exhibits.
FREE FESTIVAL CELEBRATES AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE AND HISTORY
Jan. 29, 2020
Museum event features musical performances, art activities and history experiences
Celebrate Charlotte’s African American history and culture on Saturday, Feb. 29, at The Charlotte Museum of History from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The annual African American Heritage Festival is free and made possible with support from Walmart, Wells Fargo, Watch Charlotte, Pride Magazine and a grant from the Arts & Science Council.
MUSEUM EXPLORES THE HISTORY OF ADULT BEVERAGES IN THE CAROLINA BACKCOUNTRY
Jan. 21, 2020
Series begins Feb. 13 with “Outlander”-themed scotch tasting
Did you suffer through boring high school history lectures? A new event series starting this month at The Charlotte Museum of History is anything but dry. Each event will let visitors take a sip of history by exploring the roots of adult beverages.
CAP OFF CHRISTMAS WITH CHARLOTTE’S ONLY TWELFTH NIGHT PARTY
Jan. 1, 2020
Celebrate the last official night of Christmas with a party at Charlotte’s oldest home on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
This family-friendly event at The Charlotte Museum of History puts a modern spin on the 18th century’s wildest party of the year. Based on traditional colonial celebrations, Twelfth Night closes out the holiday season with bonfires, hot cider, live music, games and revelry at the site of the historic 1774 Alexander Rock House.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY PROVIDES $125,000 TO SAVE HISTORIC SCHOOL
Dec. 10, 2019
The Charlotte Museum of History and Mecklenburg County today announced $125,000 in county funding to support preservation of the historic Siloam School, a Jim Crow-era schoolhouse for African American children in northeast Charlotte. This funding is in addition to $50,000 the City of Charlotte provided in January 2019, bringing total funding for the project from all sources to $185,000.
GIVE THE GIFT OF YOUR FAMILY STORY
Nov. 22, 2019
Museum offers workshop for kids to create family story books as holiday gifts
Kids can create a one-of-a-kind gift for loved ones this holiday season and learn how to tell their own family’s story at a special workshop at The Charlotte Museum of History on Saturday, Dec. 14.
ARCHITECTS HONOR THE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY FOR ITS EFFORTS TO PROMOTE PRESERVATION
November 21, 2019
The American Institute of Architects Charlotte Chapter honored The Charlotte Museum of History with its Laurel Award on Nov. 7 at the AIA Charlotte Annual Awards Gala.
CHARLOTTE “HIDDEN HISTORY” TOURS KICK OFF WITH A VISIT TO HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN SCHOOLS
Oct. 29, 2019
The Charlotte Museum of History will kick off a new tour series, “Hidden History,” on Saturday, Nov. 9, by giving people a chance to visit some of Mecklenburg County’s historic Rosenwald Schools, which educated African American children during the Jim Crow era.
HAUNTED HISTORY TOUR BRINGS TO LIFE TRUE CRIME STORY OF CHARLOTTE’S ‘DEVIL CHARLIE’
Sept. 24, 2019
On Friday night, Oct. 25, The Charlotte Museum of History will host “Terrors of the Past: Escape from Devil Charlie,” an interactive theatrical performance focused on the 1791 death – and possible murder – of Polly Alexander.
CHARLOTTE’S ONLY MIDCENTURY MODERN HOME TOUR RETURNS FOR EIGHTH YEAR
Sept. 4, 2019
Tour offers insider access to private homes and will feature iconic home during restoration process
Charlotte’s only midcentury modern home tour is back for its eighth year on Saturday, Sept. 28, giving attendees insider access to some of Charlotte’s best midcentury modern style and architecture.
BACKCOUNTRY DAYS FOLK FESTIVAL INVITES YOU TO KICK BACK AND LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC OR KICK UP YOUR HEELS AND JOIN IN
August 27, 2019
Visitors will be the first to see the museum’s latest exhibit, “Furnishing the Backcountry”
The Backcountry Days Folk Festival returns to The Charlotte Museum of History on Saturday, Sept. 7, from noon-5 p.m.
MUSEUM ANNOUNCES CHARLOTTE PRESERVATION CHAMPIONS
August 23, 2019
2019 Historic Preservation Awards recognize projects that preserve and protect Charlotte’s unique architectural legacy
The Charlotte Museum of History announced winners of its 2019 Historic Preservation Awards tonight at an event celebrating preservation in Mecklenburg County.
Museum to Announce 2019 Charlotte Historic Preservation Award Winners
August 5, 2019
Event Featuring Tom Mayes of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
The Charlotte Museum of History will announce Charlotte’s 2019 Historic Preservation Award Winners at a special event on Aug. 22.
A panel of local architects and preservationists will select five award-winning projects from among 30 nominees.
MUSEUM CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH NEW CITIZENS
June 20, 2019
The Charlotte Museum of History will host a U.S. Oath & Naturalization Ceremony on the Fourth of July
The Charlotte Museum of History will celebrate Independence Day with a U.S. Oath & Naturalization Ceremony for more than a dozen new U.S. citizens on Thursday, July 4, at 11 a.m. The ceremony is free and open to all. After the ceremony, guests are encouraged to attend the Hickory Grove Parade Festival at Aldersgate Retirement Community, which is adjacent to the museum.
LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
May 23, 2019
New Museum Exhibit is Love Letter to Charlotte’s Music Venues
The Charlotte Museum of History will open a new exhibit to honor Charlotte’s live music scene next month, focusing on some of the historic music venues our city has lost in recent years.
CELEBRATE CHARLOTTE’S MECKDEC
May 6, 2019
Local history groups offer brewery events, historical reenactments and family-friendly fun to mark the MeckDec’s 244th anniversary
Join local history groups for three days of events starting May 18 to honor Charlotte’s most legendary moment, the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, or MeckDec, on May 20, 1775. Some historians say the MeckDec was America’s original declaration of independence.
CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY BRINGS BACK THE QUEEN CITY’S HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS
May 6, 2019
Awards recognize renovation and construction projects that preserve and protect our rich architectural history
The Charlotte Museum of History will revive Charlotte’s Historic Preservation Awards to celebrate the preservation of our community’s historic built environment.
CELEBRATE CHARLOTTE’S HISTORY AT THE QUEEN CITY’S OLDEST HOME
April 23, 2019
Author Tommy Tomlinson to Speak about History and Southern Identity.
The Charlotte Museum of History will celebrate the Queen City’s history at its annual Colonial Gem event on Thursday, May 9. The evening raises critical funds for the museum by inviting guests to dine on the lawn of the 1774 Rock House, the city’s oldest home and the only one built before the Revolutionary War that is still standing in Mecklenburg County.
GET DIRTY FOR EARTH DAY AT THE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY
April 16, 2019
Become a naturalist for a day and learn how to protect our natural resources
Come celebrate Earth Day at The Charlotte Museum of History on Saturday, April 27, and learn about our region’s natural environment and what you can do to protect it.
EVENING CELEBRATES RADICAL COLLEGE NEAR ASHEVILLE THAT TURNED THE AMERICAN ART WORLD UPSIDE DOWN
Mar. 25, 2019
The Charlotte Museum of History and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art will host an event on April 18 for fans of all things modern.
MUSEUM CELEBRATES 250 YEARS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE WITH FREE FESTIVAL
Feb. 14, 2019
Celebration includes musical performances, art activities and history experiences
Celebrate 250 years of Charlotte’s vibrant African-American history and culture on Saturday, Feb. 23, at The Charlotte Museum of History from 12-4 p.m. The African-American Heritage Festival is free and made possible with support from the Arts & Science Council and Walmart.
CITY OF CHARLOTTE PROVIDES $50,000 TO HELP SAVE HISTORIC SCHOOL
Jan. 31, 2019
The Charlotte Museum of History and the City of Charlotte today announced $50,000 in funding from the city to support the relocation of the historic Siloam School to The Charlotte Museum of History, where it will be restored and preserved as an educational resource and community gathering space.
THE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY ADDS STAFF, ANNOUNCES NEW TRUSTEES
Dec. 15, 2018
The Charlotte Museum of History today announced the election of new members to its board of trustees, as well as the addition of two new staff members to the museum team.
NOT READY FOR CHRISTMAS TO END?
CELEBRATE A TRADITIONAL TWELFTH NIGHT AT CHARLOTTE’S OLDEST HOME
Dec. 21, 2018
Cap off your holiday season at the historic Alexander House with a free traditional Twelfth Night celebration on Saturday, Jan. 5, from 6-8:30 p.m.
It All STEMS From Here: Free Early Tech Day is Part of Museum’s “Passport to the Queen City” Program
Nov. 18, 2018
The Charlotte Museum of History offers a special program for children and families on Sunday, Nov. 18, to explore early technologies in the Carolina Backcountry.
MAPPING OLD MECKLENBURG
Oct. 30, 2018
Historic Mapping Congress is Part of Charlotte 250 Celebrations
Looking for a unique way to celebrate Charlotte’s 250th birthday? Join the Historic Mapping Congress on Saturday, Nov. 3.
CHARLOTTE’S “ROAD TO REVOLUTION” EXHIBIT CLOSES AFTER TWO-YEAR RUN
November 1, 2018
November 8 is Last Day to See Paintings of Queen City’s Early Life by Charlotte Native Dan Nance. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required by Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Museum Celebrates Dia de Los Muertos as Part of Passport to the Queen City Program
October 18, 2018
The Charlotte Museum of History celebrates Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, with a special program for children and families on Oct. 27.
MUSEUM EVENT CELEBRATES CHARLOTTE’S MILL VILLAGE PAST
Sept. 18, 2018
Free multimedia event features the Charlotte Symphony and The Charlotte Museum of History will present a free performance of Mill Village: A Piedmont Rhapsody on Thursday, Sept. 27, at the museum.
“BACKCOUNTRY DAYS” CELEBRATES CITY’S 250th BIRTHDAY
August 30, 2018
Free museum event serves visitors a slice of life in Colonial Charlotte. Backcountry Days comes back to The Charlotte Museum of History on Saturday, Sept. 8, giving visitors a snapshot of the different cultures that called the Carolinas home 250 years ago, when our city was founded.
HISTORIC HOME TOUR MAKES CHARLOTTE MODERN
July 30, 2018
Charlotte’s only midcentury modern home tour comes back for its seventh year on Saturday, Sept. 29. Attendees get insider access to a curated collection of Charlotte’s best midcentury modern style and architecture.
MUSEUM CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH NEW U.S. CITIZENS
June 13, 2018
The Charlotte Museum of History will celebrate Independence Day with a special event on Wednesday, July 4, that combines old-fashioned Fourth of July fun with an U.S. Oath & Naturalization Ceremony for more than 20 new U.S. citizens. The event and ceremony are free and open to all.
MUSEUM OFFERS FREE ADMISSION FOR “CHAMPIONS OF HISTORY” ON JUNE 2
May 30, 2018
The Charlotte Museum of History will celebrate those who support local history and preservation efforts on Saturday, June 2, with its first-ever Champions of History Day. History teachers, members of history organizations and others who champion history will receive free admission to this special event.
CELEBRATE THE QUEEN CITY’s 250th BIRTHDAY AT CHARLOTTE’S OLDEST HOME
May 8, 2018
The Charlotte Museum of History will celebrate the city’s 250th birthday at its annual Colonial Gem event on Thursday, May 17. The evening takes place on the lawn of Charlotte’s oldest home, the Hezekiah Alexander House.
WHERE TO CELEBRATE THE MECKDEC THIS YEAR
May 7, 2018
This year is the city of Charlotte’s 250th birthday, and next week, Charlotte will celebrate one of its most important historic moments – the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, or MeckDec, on May 20, 1775.
TEA TIME, ANYONE?
March 23, 2018
British Teas Are Back, with Sherlock Holmes, Spymasters and More. It’s tea time again at The Charlotte Museum of History. Tickets go on sale this week for the museum’s summer “Teas of the British Isles,” which sell out annually.
CHARLOTTE’S INVISIBLE QUEEN
March 20, 2018
Charlotte is often called the Queen City. You’ll find references to Queen Charlotte all over town, from statues at the airport and in uptown to the name of landmarks like Queens Road. But as the city approaches its 250th birthday, what do we really know about our namesake monarch?
FAMILY FUN DAY CELEBRATES CHARLOTTE’S AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE
February 14, 2018
Come celebrate the history and culture of Charlotte’s vibrant African-American community from the colonial period to the present on Saturday, Feb. 24, at The Charlotte Museum of History’s Family Fun Day, from 12-4 p.m. The event is free and made possible in part by a grant from Walmart.
CELEBRATE A HISTORIC HOLIDAY AT CHARLOTTE’S OLDEST HOME, THE HEZEKIAH ALEXANDER HOUSE
December 6, 2017
Looking for something new to do with family and friends this holiday season?
Join The Charlotte Museum of History for Historic Holidays at the Hezekiah House, taking place daily at Charlotte’s oldest home through Jan. 6.
Meet our New CEO
The Charlotte Museum of History has named Adria Focht as its new president & CEO, effective Nov. 27.
Focht comes to the museum from the Kings Mountain Historical Museum, where she was director & curator.
RESIST & PERSIST: THE STORY OF THE QUEEN CITY
November 4, 2017
Spoken-word poets join together at The Charlotte Museum of History on Saturday, Nov. 4, to tell the story of the Queen City as never heard before – a history of “resisting and persisting.”
We welcome Emmy-winning spoken-word poet Bluz (Boris Rogers) and other local spoken-word poets to tell Charlotte’s story of revolt, accompanied by Kojo Bey and Drums4Life.
SEGREGATION AND RE-SEGREGRATION OF CHARLOTTE’S SCHOOLS
October 30, 2017
During the Jim Crow era, Mecklenburg County had more Rosenwald schools for African-American children than any other county in America. Today, Charlotte schools are re-segregating. What can we learn from the experiences of students who attended Mecklenburg’s Rosenwald Schools? Can their observations help us address 21st-century school re-segregation? On Oct. 30, The Charlotte Museum of History hosts a special fundraising dinner to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Rosenwald School Fund.
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WWI SYMPOSIUM EXAMINES FORGOTTEN AND OVERLOOKED ASPECTS OF NORTH CAROLINA’S ROLE IN THE GREAT WAR, 100 YEARS LATER
November 12 2017
How much do you know about North Carolina’s role in World War I? Can you detail the contributions of African American soldiers? Have you heard of the German internment camp built in the mountains of North Carolina? Join us for “Exploring North Carolina’s Role in the Great War: 100 Years On,” a symposium to discuss the forgotten, overlooked and untold stories of North Carolina’s WWI history.
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HOME TOUR CELEBRATES CHARLOTTE’S MIDCENTURY MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
Tour includes city’s first-ever Mod Designer Showcase Home
August 16, 2017
Charlotte’s only midcentury modern home tour, Mad About Modern, returns for its sixth year on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 10-4 p.m. The tour, presented by The Charlotte Museum of History, takes visitors inside seven of the city’s best examples of midcentury modern design. New features on this year’s tour include a designer showcase home and a VIP Mod Party that is open to the public.
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THE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY ANNOUNCES NEW OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS
July 31 2017
The Charlotte Museum of History today announced the election of new officers and new members to its Board of Trustees.
Carrie Frye, Stewart McQueen, William Nolan and Michael Pressman joined the board in July. Carrie Frye is owner and chief designer of Carrie Frye Interior Design; Stewart McQueen is partner at Dechert LLP in its structured finance and securitization group; William Nolan is senior managing director at FTI Consulting; and Michael Pressman is associate general counsel and senior vice president at Bank of America.
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LISA GRAY JOINS MUSEUM AS INTERIM DIRECTOR
June 14, 2017
Lisa V. Gray has more than 25 years’ experience in non-profit management. She has been an independent consultant since 2007, providing marketing, fundraising, and business development strategies to nonprofits throughout the Charlotte region.
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KAY PENINGER LEAVING MUSEUM
June 13, 2017
Today, we write a new chapter in the story of the Museum itself, as our President & CEO Kay Peninger announces she is leaving to accept a new position as Director of Museum Education at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. Kay has been a transformational leader for The Charlotte Museum of History, expanding our programming and bringing our educational offerings to a broader and more diverse audience.
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PENINGER LEAVING AS CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY CEO AFTER LEADING ITS COMEBACK
June 13, 2017
Kay Peninger, who is credited with the comeback of Charlotte Museum of History after it was hit hard by the recession, is leaving for a job at the Museum of the Bible that opens in the fall in Washington. She’ll serve as director of museum education for the Museum of the Bible, which is led by Tony Zeiss, the longtime leader of Central Piedmont Community College.
THE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND THE SILVER STAR COMMUNITY LEAD EFFORT TO SAVE HISTORIC SILOAM SCHOOL
March 13, 2017
$600,000 plan would restore and preserve historic school building and create exhibit on the history of African Americans in the Charlotte Region.
The Charlotte Museum of History announced today it will lead a community effort to restore the historic Siloam School in northeast Charlotte and return it to its original purpose as an educational resource and community gathering space. The school was one of thousands built throughout the South in the early 1900s to educate African Americans. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is endangered due to its current state of disrepair.
CHARLOTTE’S “ROAD TO REVOLUTION”
Sept. 20, 2016
Chronicled in new exhibition of paintings by Queen City Native Dan Nance
Charlotte native Dan Nance has been quietly painting scenes of American history for more than two decades. His paintings hang in national parks and heritage sites and in the private collections of Charlotte notables such as business men Cameron Harris and Allen Tate, The Charlotte Chamber’s Bob Morgan, CPCC’s Dr. Tony Zeiss and Eric Poole.
CHARLOTTE GETS MORE MODERN
August 11, 2016
WITH THE 2016 MAD ABOUT MODERN HOME TOUR
Fans of Dwell magazine and HBO’s Mad Men can get their modern fix when Charlotte’s only mid-century modern home tour comes back to town on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 10-4 p.m. This one-day, self-guided tour gets visitors inside some of the best examples of mid-century modern style and architecture in Charlotte.
CHARLOTTE CELEBRATES 241 YEARS OF VISIONARY HISTORY
May 19, 2016
Events honor the 241st anniversary of the signing of America’s First Declaration of Independence, the MeckDec
This weekend, Charlotte will celebrate the 241st anniversary of the signing of America’s original declaration of independence, the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (MeckDec). Local groups are offering a series of events throughout the weekend – many of them free – to mark the occasion.
TOUR CHARLOTTE’S BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS THIS SPRING
April 4, 2016
The Charlotte Museum of History Invites the Public to a Series of Free Walking Tours Featuring Historic Charlotte Neighborhoods
This spring, The Charlotte Museum of History is offering a series of free neighborhood walking tours in historic areas of the city, including Elizabeth and NoDa.
CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND HISTORIC CHARLOTTE JOIN FORCES
January 7, 2016
Group will focus on preserving Charlotte’s stories and historic places as a community asset
The Charlotte Museum of History Inc. and Historic Charlotte Inc. today announced that Historic Charlotte would become part of the Charlotte Museum of History. The combined organization will focus on educational programming and historic preservation efforts that will enhance Charlotte’s quality of life and help drive economic growth for the region.
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